Overheated radiator signal



Fdo. 13, 1951 c. A. JENSEN 2,541,518

OVERHEATED RADIATOR SIGNAL Patented Feb. 13, 1951 OVERHEATED RADIATOR SIGNAL Charles A. Jensen, Pasadena, Calif., assignor of one-half to Grace E. Jensen, Pasadena, Calif.

Application January 31, 1950, Serial No. 141,528

1 Claim. 1

My invention relates generally to the radiators forming part of the cooling systems of internal combustion engines, more particularly those engines used for the propulsion of motor vehicles and the principal object of my invention is to provide a simple, practical, inexpensive and highly eficient structure capable of being readily and conveniently associated with radiators and which will produce a visible signal, specifically a steam jet, in the event that the temperature in the radiator rises to an abnormal degree.

A further object of my invention is, to provide a radiator signal of the character referred to, which has an expansion or storage chamber for temporary reception of any water which may overflow from the radiator and which chamber also facilitates the fiow of steam through the water and prevents the blowing of water from the steam signal vent.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view through the forward portion of a motor vehicle hood and showing the conventional radiator equipped with my improved signal.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the fitting located at the lower end of the signal, for permitting discharge of water.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, it] designates the motor vehicle engine hood, H the front wheel fenders, and 12 a conventional radiator having the usual filler nipple l3 and removable cap I4 therefor. Secured to nipple l3 and leading therefrom laterally above the radiator and thence downward adjacent the side of the radiator, is a combined water and steam duct l5, which is connected just below the radiator to a fitting [6, similar to a return elbow and having a U-shaped duct IT.

The lower end of tube l5 communicates with one end of duct I7, and leading from the other end of said duct upwardly alongside of tube [5 is a tube l8.

Tubes [5 and [8 are detachably mountedon the side of radiator [2 by suitable clamping brackets [9.

The upper end of tube I8 is curved rearwardly and partially squeezed together to provide a narrow, upright rearwardly presented mouth or outlet 28 for the steam discharged by the signal, and as this outlet is on the left-hand side of the front end portion of the vehicle, the signals, produced by steam discharging from outlet 20, are directly in the forward line of vision of the vehicle driver.

- Formed in the lower portion of fitting l6 and disposed tangential to the curved portion of duct 2 ll below tube [8, is a water discharge aperture 2|.

To achieve best results, I prefer to make outlet aperture 2! about one-quarter capacity of duct I1 and duct l8 about twice the capacity of duct I1.

The gravity of water being much greater than steam, the latter may flow with comparative freedom up through tube It and said tube having a chamber of substantial size, the steam will separate from the water therein and pass upward to vent 20, while the much heavier water passes by gravity to fitting l6 and discharges through vent 2|. To accelerate the flow of steam from vent 20, the latter is presented rearwardly and thus, the airflow past said vent will by suction tend to produce vacuum in the upper portion of duct l8 and through said Vent, to act on the steam and effect the discharge thereof through vent 20 and thereby produce the signal.

In the event that the radiator is overfilled, the capacity of the ducts l5 and I8 is such as to hold a substantial amount of water until the excess drains out through vent 2|.

My improved signal, with slight structural changes and adjustments may be readily combined with all forms of engine hoods and radiators, is practically invisible when installed, is wholly automatic in action and is highly effective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

Minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved overheated radiator signal may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claim. v

I claim as my invention:

The combination with a motor vehicle radiator and engine hood, of a duct leading from the upper portion of said radiator downwardly to a point near the bottom thereof and from thence upwardly to a point above the radiator, the upwardly disposed portion of said duct being larger in diameter than the downwardly disposed portion, a rearwardly directed nozzle on the upper end of said upwardly disposed portion and disposed above the engine hood, a coupling connecting the lower ends of the downwardly and upwardly extending parts of said duct, and which coupling is provided between the connected ends of the ducts with a vent which is inclined downwardly and laterally with respect to said larger duct' CHARLES A. JENSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,509,474 Bremeier May 30, 1950 2,455,533 Swindle Dec. 7, 1948 

